Free: Healthy 5-Ingredient Meals Ebook
Get It Now- Why You’ll Love This Oven Roasted Garlic Recipe
- Basic Ingredients
- How To Roast Garlic In The Oven
- How Long To Roast Garlic?
- What Temp To Roast Garlic?
- How To Remove the Cloves After Roasting
- Variations
- How To Store Roasted Garlic
- What To Do With Roasted Garlic
- Tools For Roasting Garlic
- Roasted Garlic Recipe (How To Roast Garlic)
If you’re a garlic lover, learning how to roast garlic in the oven is a must-have basic skill — and this roasted garlic recipe is here to make it EASY for you! It takes just minutes to prep, but if you want to roast individual cloves or use a different cooking method, I have several other options for you below.
Plus, I’ll show you ideas for ways to use this recipe for roasted garlic once it’s ready. It adds amazing garlic flavor to anything and everything. After mastering garlic, try homemade roasted red peppers next!
Why You’ll Love This Oven Roasted Garlic Recipe
- Rich, nutty, and sweet flavor
- Smooth and creamy texture
- Made with just 2 basic ingredients
- The easiest method for roasting garlic
- Super versatile
Basic Ingredients
This section explains how to choose the best ingredients for a roasted garlic head, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card below.
- Garlic – We obviously need garlic to make oven roasted garlic cloves! Since we’ll be making whole roasted garlic, look for whole heads.
- Sea Salt & Black Pepper
- Olive Oil – Use a high quality olive oil for best flavor, but avocado oil would also work. The amount you’ll need is about 1-2 teaspoons of olive oil per head of garlic.
How To Roast Garlic In The Oven
This section shows how to make this roasted garlic recipe, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card below.
- Peel. Peel and discard the loose, outer layers of the whole garlic heads.
- Trim. Use a sharp knife to slice 1/4 to 1/2 inch off the top of each head, so that you can see the garlic cloves inside.
- Season. Place whole heads of garlic onto a piece of aluminum foil inside a baking dish or baking sheet, cut side up. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, then drizzle with olive oil over the top of the cloves. Wrap the foil around the garlic heads and seal.
TIP: Make sure oil runs over each clove.
It helps to pour slowly so you get a little bit on every surface.
- Roast garlic. Bake in the oven until soft and caramelized.
How Long To Roast Garlic?
Roasted garlic takes about 30-40 minutes in the oven.
What Temp To Roast Garlic?
This whole roasted garlic recipe is best baked at 400 degrees F.
How To Remove the Cloves After Roasting
Once the garlic has cooled enough to touch, you can use two fingers to squeeze out a roasted garlic clove from each opening in the top of the head.
Variations
In case you prefer another method, here is how to make roasted garlic as individual cloves or using other cooking methods:
- Roast garlic without foil – You don’t have to use foil for this roasted garlic recipe, but you do need it to be covered so that it “steams” the garlic a bit and it doesn’t dry out. If you don’t want the foil touching your garlic, you can place garlic bulbs in muffin tin (and top with another muffin tin) or a small pan topped with foil. Alternatively, you can also line the foil with parchment paper before placing the garlic on it. This way, the garlic does not have direct contact with the foil.
- Roast garlic cloves (unpeeled) – Drizzle raw garlic cloves (unpeeled) with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Cover with foil and roast for 30-40 minutes, until golden brown. Squeeze garlic out of skin when cool enough to touch. If you want to roast garlic cloves rather than a whole bulb, I prefer this method because squeezing the cloves out after roasting garlic is much less work than peeling beforehand.
- Roast peeled garlic – Peel and place individual cloves of garlic in a small baking dish. Season with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Cover with foil and roast for 30-40 minutes at 400 degrees F, stirring a few times during baking, until golden brown and soft. I think this method is more work, because you have to peel the cloves individually before roasting.
- Roast garlic in the air fryer – Trim and season the heads of garlic the same way as this recipe. Then, instead of baking, cook in air fryer at 350 degrees F for 20-30 minutes. (If this is your favorite method, check out my other healthy air fryer recipes.)
- Roast garlic in the microwave – Trim and season the garlic head as shown above. Place it into a shallow microwave safe dish and add a few tablespoons of water to the bottom of the dish. Microwave for about 5 minutes at 40% power.
- Seasonings – Sprinkle on some rosemary, thyme, or Italian seasoning before roasting. I don’t usually find this necessary.
How To Store Roasted Garlic
Storage is super easy! You can keep whole roasted garlic heads in an airtight container in the refrigerator, but they will last much longer if you remove the cloves from the skin and submerge them in olive oil before placing in the fridge.
How Long Does Roasted Garlic Last?
Finished roasted garlic recipes will last 3-4 days in the fridge, but cloves submerged in olive oil will last up to 2 weeks.
Can You Freeze Roasted Garlic?
Yes, you can freeze roasted garlic for 2-3 months.
What To Do With Roasted Garlic
There are so many ways to use this roasted garlic recipe! Here are some ideas:
- Salad Dressing – Roasted garlic will have people wondering what you added to your salad dressings! Try it in my creamy balsamic dressing, any vinaigrette-style dressing (like zesty Italian dressing), or even into Caesar salad dressing.
- Vegetables – Add a deeper garlic flavor to roasted vegetables by using roasted garlic, instead of minced. Try it in garlic roasted broccoli, roasted garlic cauliflower, oven roasted green beans, or stirred into regular potatoes, if that’s your preference.
- Marinades – These recipes all call for garlic, so add in roasted cloves to proteins like prime rib, Thanksgiving turkey, or pork tenderloin.
- Dips and Spreads – Level up your dips and spreads… or add both fresh and roasted to really bring up the flavor. Try roasted garlic cloves in cauliflower hummus, cream cheese dip, or cold crab dip (or hot crab dip).
- Sauces – Puree it into your favorite sauce, like lemon garlic aoili (or simply mayonnaise), tahini sauce, or just about any pasta sauce.
- Bread – Spread some butter and roasted garlic over your favorite bread or toast! You can also mash the garlic and mix with compound butter.
- Soups – Stir garlic into soups, like broccoli cheese soup, roasted cauliflower soup, or homemade vegetable soup.
Tools For Roasting Garlic
- Baking Dish – Use this baking dish for making this roasted garlic recipe in the oven.
Roasted Garlic Recipe (How To Roast Garlic)
Learn how to roast garlic in the oven, the easy way! This oven roasted garlic recipe makes perfectly creamy, caramelized garlic cloves.
Instructions
Tap on the times in the instructions below to start a kitchen timer while you cook.
-
Preheat the oven at 400 degrees F (204 degrees C) .
-
Peel and discard the outer layers of the whole garlic bulbs. Cut about 1/4 to 1/2 inch (0.6 to 1.3 cm) off the top of each head of garlic, exposing the cloves inside.
-
Line a baking dish with a large piece of foil. Place the garlic heads onto the foil, cut side up.
-
Sprinkle each head of garlic with salt and pepper. Drizzle 1-2 teaspoons of oil over each, making sure it runs between the cloves.
-
Close the foil around the garlic and seal. Roast garlic in the oven for 30-40 minutes.
-
Let the garlic cool from hot to warm. To remove the roasted garlic from the heads, squeeze from the root end into a bowl.
Did You Like It?
Leave a rating to help other readers (this also helps me continue to provide free recipes on my site), or get the recipe sent to your inbox.
Recipe Notes
Serving size: 1/4 head of garlic (about 3 cloves)
Recipe makes 8 heads of roasted garlic for a big batch, but you can easily scale to any number you like.
Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see our nutrition policy.
© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead. 🙂
102 Comments
Kenna
0A hit! We made this for rib eye sandwiches at a Sunday family dinner. It created a delicious spread for toasted rolls that was better than any sauce or condiment! It was SO much tastier than using minced or sauteed garlic. The flavor was rich and caramelized; this would be a wonderful addition to dips and sauces. Was stupid-simple to make and for very little effort our family dinner was next-level. I love that microwave instructions are also given; it’d be a treat to enjoy this on a night when we’re short on time. 10/10 delicious 🙂
Teresa
0I thought cutting the top off would be hard but it wasn’t bad at all. First time making roasted garlic and it was so easy and delicious.
Glenna Smith
0I love roasted garlic. I’ve never give back one I tried this. Such a wonderful smell and mild taste.
Sherry Leonard
0I absolutely love anything garlic. And especially around the holidays garlic recipes I love having I can see using this one for the Crock-Pot meatballs I can see using this one but parmesan bread this is a perfect time and the aroma and the smell left in the house will be wonderful.
jane ciolino
0I use roasted garlic in my home made vinegarette dressing it is delicious. In Louisiana we also throw whole garlic heads in our seafood boils for added flavor and it comes out like butter and talk about good. Moma Mia! it is to die for. Many people spread it on a cracker and eat it just like that. Make a great garlic butter just squeeze the garlic out of the pods and mix with softened butter. Don’t like garlic try it roasted the heat mellows and sweetens the flavor. God is it good!
Ceci
0I thoroughly enjoyed this recipe! I never knew that it could be so easy to incorporate freshly roasted garlic into my meals. I make this recipe at least twice a week and have used the garlic to enhance cheesy bread, pasta and even over my scrambled eggs. Thank you for sharing this easy and delicious recipe!
Tammy Veilleux
0I used this recipe this summer, when I was harvesting my garlic. Once I roasted then I cooled and put in the blender with water. To make chopped garlic to use in recipes.
Anna Wolfe
0Love this recipe, I use roasted garlic every week and never can I get enough, The garlic has a special taste all its own.
Elizabeth Davis
0Yes, it really IS this easy to make, and well worth the time! We use roasted garlic as a sandwich spread, in salad dressings & soups, with olive oil and parmesan on zucchini (and regular) pasta.
Sue
0This is perfect! I needed to roast a bit longer as I did a shoulder of lamb alongside so didn’t have the oven quite so hot. Served with the roast it was delicious just squeeze out on ourplates and smoothed on the roast.
Beverly Dixon
0I love this recipe! Then again, all of your recipes are designed in such a way that it allows for both novice and expert to gain insights. Thank you for being so thorough and patient! You are so appreciated!
PJ Fulkerson
0This is such an awesome easy thing to do for big flavor. I used a flavored olive oil to add another level of savory. I also smeared the roasted garlic clove on keto toast and put an egg on top. Super savory breakfast!
Victoria
0Prefer to use the grill but tastes amazing with other grilled veggies. The sweet caramelized flavor is infused into the other veggies.
Annette
0Turned out great! I loved it.
Corie
0Easy to do😊. Makes everything taste better. Thank you.
Leslie
0I am a non-garlic lover but my family wants it in and on everything. This is our compromise!! The roasted garlic flavour is mellow enough to not overpower recipes. My guys love this on pizza.
Sharon Howard
0This recipe is so awesome! Roasted garlic spreads like butter and is delicious on so many things! Thank you for sharing.
Colleen Dyer
0Soooo yummy! You can’t go wrong with roasted garlic. I actually added it to one of Maya’s other recipes and it was delicious! This was my first time roasting garlic using this recipe, and I will definitely make it this way again!
Melody Varieur
0I love roasted garlic. It is the absolute best!
Carrie
0I’ve tried roasting garlic many times and this recipe was by far the best! Very easy and turned out perfect. I will be using this recipe from now on!!
Jake
0I’ve made this recipe several times. I found that in step 4 it’s better to put the oil on then sprinkle with the salt and pepper. If you’ve never had roasted garlic it gets sweet and sticky and is great added to dips or just spread on toasted bread.
Josie
0I mean, who doesn’t love roasted garlic? This recipe is the best. My fiancé and I add this to almost anything that we can. Homemade salad dressings, bread, and roasted veggies are our favorite recipes to use roasted garlic in.
Vanessa Vargas
0Can’t wait to try this!!! 🙂
Tamzie
0Great recipe. I love how you added variances to not using foil, Thank you.
Laura Cross
0I make roasted garlic on a regular basis, and put any leftover in a mason jar, cover with olive oil and refrigerate. It will last at least 3 months.
carol
0Lovely way to keep all of the veggies and freeze these after they are cooked. I’ve learned so much about roasting veggies. Thank you.
Molly W
0Sweet and creamy!!❤️
Thanks !
Molly W
0Soooooooo good!
Thank you!
Edris chouinard
0If somebody can respond to let me know how to roast garlic in the oven step by step so I can download it that would be nice if anybody’s out there help me with it please.
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Edris, This post is a step but step guide to roasting garlic in the oven.
Wayne
0I can not have oil is it possible to roast garlic without oil. Thank you
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Wayne, I have never tested the recipe without the oil so I am not sure what the results would be.
Sandra
0I would think it would work fine in the oven. Just make sure to use seasonings of your choice, add a little water to the bottom of the foil, or pan, and cover it tightly. You might even experiment using broth poured over the garlic.
Joni horton
0Loving making this. The garlic aroma fills the house when I’m roasting them. I love garlic too so I pout garlic in almost everything.
Susan
0Roasted garlic is the BEST! Thanks for all the great ways to make it (I haven’t tried it in the air fryer yet!) and all the wonderful ways to use it!
Lisa
0I love this roasted garlic! It’s great for recipes but I even like to eat it plain with a little salt!
Aya
0I love garlic a lot, and so I was so happy to find this recipe. I roasted the garlic and added them to my shawarma sandwich, and it was the best thing ever! Thanks for the recipe and easy to follow instructions!
Mikayla
0This is my all time favorite way to use garlic in recipes. Also love to make a big batch and freeze in serving sizes for later use!
Heather
0What a classic dish that is so versatile – I love it simply spread on toast with plain cream cheese!!
Edris chouinard
0I know I love garlic, but I need someone to show me step by step how to roast them cuz I’ve never done it if I figure out the first time I’ll give it to do it again. I love garlic.
Jessica
0As a garlic lover, I’m a bit ashamed to say I never roasted it until recently when I came across these directions. It turned out absolutely perfect and now I can’t stop thinking about all the dishes I can incorporate it into. Thanks!
Linda
0So easy and always comes out perfectly. This is my go-to recipe to roast garlic!
Amy L Huntley
0Roasted garlic is the absolute best! It makes the entire house smell amazing too!
Natalie
0My favorite way to prepare garlic! We use it in so many recipes!
Tracy
0Such great tips! We love roasted garlic in everything! Beautiful shots!
Colleen
0We are big fans of roasted garlic and use on so many things. Thanks for the great tips.
laura
0One of our all time favorite ways to enjoy garlic!
Dana
0The best recipes use roasted garlic. Thankfully this recipe is easy!
Cindy
0Thanks for the great recipe! Loved it squeezed out on some French bread.
Toni
0This is so awesome! I love how easy it is!! Thank you!
Kristyn
0The oven is the perfect way to roast garlic! And, it couldn’t be any easier. It gives the garlic a delicious flavor!
Glenda
0Your post lays out this process in great detail. Thank you! Roasting garlic takes dishes to a whole new level of scrumptious!
Marta
0I always thought that roasting garlic would be this long strenuous event. I have no idea why. It’s actually so easy and your instructions made it easier. Thanks for this!
Andrea Thueson
0I love the flavor of roasted garlic adds! I am so glad I found this recipe. Now I can make it from scratch and store it and use it when needed!
Liz
0Whenever I come across a recipe that calls for roasted garlic, I always think, “well shoot,” because I have never found an easy way to do it! This seems so simple! Thanks for the share!
Deanna Striver
0We roast garlic all the time, it’s our favorite! Great tips!